www.maderatribune.comServing the Heart of California since 1892http://www.maderatribune.com/node/5688/atom.xml2015-03-03T20:55:06+00:00http://www.maderatribune.com/columns/hot-times-old-town2013-06-29T04:07:18+00:002013-07-06T04:07:40+00:00Hot times in the old townwebmaster

It looks like it’s going to be getting a tad warm around here this weekend with temperatures hovering around 105 degrees. However, at the same time, there could be a new world record set in one of my favorite parts of the Northern Mojave that just happens to be renowned as the lowest, driest, hottest place on earth.

On July 10, 1913 (almost exactly 100 years ago) the world’s highest recorded air temperature, officially recognized by the World Meteorological Organization (WM0), was recorded as 134 degrees at (or in) Death Valley. Trying to outdo us a few years later, the Libyan government said they had recorded a temp of 136 in the town of El Azizia. However, it was immediately suspect in atmospheric science circles concerning the accuracy of the instruments used, and weather conditions inconsistent with that high a reading during that time of year.

Consequently, the record in Libya was stripped by the WMO and returned to Death Valley, USA. Either way, in our Valley or that other one, as Robin Williams said in “Good Morning Vietnam,” “It’s damn hot.”

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Somebody had to try and get things straightened out. Kudos to former Madera Unified Superintendent Julia O’Kane for coming out of retirement after six years to take the helm, on an interim basis, of the embattle school district. Julia is an awesome gal and dedicated to the welfare of the most important factor (regardless of some school board trustees’ way of thinking), the kids...